Carousel indexing system for solid waste compactor

ABSTRACT

An indexing mechanism particularly adapted to drive a turntable in a solid waste compactor system includes a central rotating hub mounting the turntable and carrying a series of drive pins. A drive plate is pivotally mounted adjacent the hub and includes a drive pawl for rotating the hub. The system may be adjusted to assume a selected number of indexing positions in each 360* rotation to accommodate turntables having different numbers of refuse receptical positions.

United States Patent 1 Aaron et al. v

[ July 17, 1973 CAROUSEL lNDEXlNG SYSTEM FOR SOLID WASTE COMPACTORInventors: Maurice E. Aaron, Bound Brook,

N.J.; Leonard Armstrong, Staten Island, NY.

Resources Control Corporation, Middlesex, NJ.

Filed: Feb. 29, 1972 Appl. No.: 230,296

Assignee:

US. Cl 74/819, 74/128, 74/822 Int. Cl B23b 29/32 Field of Search 74/822,823, 827,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/ 1946 Heckethorn 74/822 X2,924,|53 2/l960 Ehlingcr 74/822 X Primary Examiner-Charles J. MyhreAssistant ExaminerF. D. Shoemaker Att0rney ,M0rton Amster, Daniel S.Ebenstein. et al.

[57] ABSTRACT An indexing mechanism particularly adapted to drive aturntable in a solid waste compactor system includes a central rotatinghub mounting the turntable and carrying a series of drive pins. A driveplate is pivotally mounted adjacent the hub and includes a drive pawlfor rotating the hub. The system may be adjusted to assume a selectednumber of indexing positions in each 360 rotation to accommodateturntables having different numbers of refuse receptical positions.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures SHEET 1 0F 3 PATENIED JUL 1 7191s SHEET 3[1F 3 k g a This invention relates generally to solid waste disposal andmore specifically to an improved carousel system for automaticallyhandling compacted waste in a solid waste compactor system.

Solid waste disposal in urban areas presents a number of seriousproblems which have received a great deal of attention in recent years.It is generally agreed that one of the most efficient and ecologicallydesirably ways of disposing of solid waste material is to compact it atits source into high density bales and to cart it to remote areas forincineration, use as land fill or other disposal. Many compactor deviceshave been developed in recent years to implement this concept. Whilethere are some devices which are designed for use in individual homes orapartments, the trend has generally been to provide a single compactiondevice to serve many family units. Usually the compactor is located inthe basement of a high-rise apartment building or other multipledwelling at the foot of a refuse chute which might previously have beenused to feed an incinerator.

The use of high volume compactors such as would be required in abuilding housing in excess of 20 to 25 apartments creates substantialmaterials handling problems. Although there tend to be peak periods ofrefuse disposal, the compaction system must remain available to receiveand handle whatever refuse is generated on a 24 hour a day basis. Sinceit is not practical nor economically feasible to maintain personnel inconstant attendance at the compactor, such equipment must be designed tofunction automatically and safely with minimal supervision. In addition,the device must be designed so as to permit easy carting and removal ofthe compacted waste and to insure the safety of unskilled operatingpersonnel.

Prior art systems for handling compacted refuse have left a great dealto be desired. The most advanced of these systems generally includes aplurality of waste receptacles and apparatus for delivering individualreceptacles to the compactor in timed sequence. However, the timing andcontrol systems used in these devices permit a variety of malfunctionswhich interrupt the compactor operation and result in waste spillage andsometimes personal injury. Some of the more typical malfunctions withprior art systems include: several bales of compacted material beingejected into a single container; bales being ejected when there is noreceptacle in position at the ejection port of the compactor; equipmentcycling to indicate a full condition when, in fact, empty receptaclesremain available; and injury to attending personnel working with theequipment. Further, prior systems are generally adapted for a specificvolume installation and substantial redesign and reconstruction ofthe'system is required to change over between smaller and highercapacity operations. Prior systems are not adapted to permit easyremoval and carting of the compacted refuse.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toprovide a more efficient and dependable system for collecting compactedrefuse in a solid waste compactor which overcomes the foregoingdifficulties.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an automatedfeed system for a refuse compactor in which the receptable capacity ofthe system may be varied without substantial modification to theequipment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a control system for arefuse compactorcarousel which insures that only one bale of refuse isejected into a single receptacle and that an empty receptacle issecurely positioned beneath the compactor ejection port before a bale isejected.

In accomplishing these and other objectives in accordance with thepresent invention, a refuse compactor is provided with a refuse carouselsystem including a circular turntable supported for rotational motionadjacent the compactor carrying a plurality of upstanding refusecontainers positioned about the turntable periphery. The turntable isprovided with an hydraulic indexing mechanism including a central hubwhich supports the turntable and a pivotable drive plate. The centralhub carries a selected number of drive series corresponding to thedesired number of indexing positions in each 360 rotation of the hub andthe drive plate carries a drive pawl for engaging the drive pins androtating the hub. The drive plate includes switching means for adjustingthe length of the drive plate power stroke in accordance with thedesired number of indexing positions in each 360 rotation.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the present inventionwill be appreciated by reference to the following detailed disclosure ofa presently preferred embodiment of the present invention when taken inconjunction with the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a solid waste compactor and a compactorcarousel system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view partially broken away of the turntable showing theturntable drive mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a preferred turntable indexing mechanism atrest in the filling position;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the turntable indexing mechansim in itsretracted position, ready to rotate the turntable; and

FIG. 6 is a diagramatic view of the electrical and hydraulic controlcircuit for the carousel.

Referring to the appended drawings, FIG. I generally shows a solid wastecompactor 10 including a chute section 10a adapted to receive solidrefuse from a conventional refuse shaft in an apartment building orother similar environment. Compactor 10 includes a principal compactingsection 10b wherein a horizontally reciprocating ram (not shown)compacts refuse from chute 10a into a compaction chamber located in thelower part of compactor ejection section 100. Ejection section alsoincludes a vertical acting ejection ram (not shows) which operates inresponse to control signals from a control circuit to eject a bale ofcompacted refuse through a sliding door located at the lower face ofejection section 10c when the compacted bale has reached adesireddensity. Compactor I0 is provided with a receptacle indexingcarousel 12 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention including a circular turntable 14 mounted for rotationalindexing motion. Turntable 14 includes a plurality of refuse receptaclestations located at regular intervals around the periphery of theturntable in alignment with the ejection port at the base of compactorejection section c (shown in broken line in FIG. 2). It is to beunderstood that the present invention contemplates the provision of anyselected number of receptacle stations on table 14, with the diameter oftable 14 being selected in order to accommodate the desired number ofreceptables. It is also understood that if the diameter of plate 14 isincreased, the plate center may have to be moved further from thecompactor to permit alignment of the compactor ejection port with therefuse receptacles. For this reason, the turntable 14 preferably standsindependent of the compactor on a rotation and drive mechanism to bedescribed hereinafter.

In the preferred embodiment, each receptacle station comprises a pair ofupstanding posts 18 supporting a ring 16. A refuse bag of plastic orother similar material is draped over rings 16 with the open edge of thebag pulled downwardly over posts 18 and the bag bottom elevated betweenposts 18. The receptacle in this empty condition is indexed underejection section 10c. When a refuse bale is ejected into the bag, itmakes contact with the bag bottom stretched across ring 16, drawing thebag downwardly through ring 16 between posts 18 into contact withturntable 14. As the bag is drawn downwardly, the remainder of the bagis carried over ring 16 until the full bag reaches its'rest position asin bags a in FIG. 1. The turntable is then indexed to its next positionin a manner to be described hereinafter.

It will be appreciated that bags 20a-20f have been filled and that bags20g-20h are empty.

During indexing, the turning motion of the turntable applies acentrifical force to the bag and refuse slug, tending to drive the bagand refuse slug outwardly. For this reason, posts 18 are located on ring16 radially outwardly with respect to the center of turntable 14 fromthe central diameter of ring 16 so that as the slug and bag is urgedoutwardly by centrifical force, it engages posts 18 and is preventedfrom falling off the turntable. However, posts 18 are positioned farenough apart so that when it is desired to remove the refuse bag, thebag top may be closed with a drawstring or wire closure and the bag maybe manually pulled off the turntable between posts 18. The bags are thusretained in proper position during filling and rotation and yet may beeasily removed from the turntable without substantial lifting.

The presently preferred support and rotating system for turntable 14 isshown in detail in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 and in the broken away portion ofFIG. 2.

Turntable 14 is supported in its central portion by a rotating hub 22which is pivotably mounted about a central support pin 26 which standson a support frame center plate 28. Hub 22 is bolted to turntable 14 bya series of securing bolts 24. The support frame (shown in FIGS. 4 and5) also includes four arms 30 which extend radially outwardly fromcenter plate 28 to a circular guide track 32 which includes anupstanding outer flange 32a. As seen in FIG. 3, turntable 14 includes acircular depending flange 14a adjacent its outer edge to partiallyenclose the turning mechanism and prevent litter and stray refuse fromentering the turning mechamsm.

Track 32 includes a plurality of rollers 34 mounted at selectedpositions about the track on roller support arms 36 which maintainrollers 34 in position to engage the outer periphery of turntable l4.Rollers 34 support turntable 14 adjacent its outer edge to support thesubstantial weight of the compacted refuse in receptacles 20. Theserollers are particularly important when the first several receptaclesare filled at which time the weight distribution on the turntable issubstantially out of balance.

Even with rollers 34, the turntable 14 may tend to sag at the heavierweighted side, leaving the turntable standing at a slight angle (atleast during certain portions of the turntable filling cycle). At thesetimes, since one side of the turntable is carrying substantially moreweight than the other, there is a tendency of the turntable to rotateslightly, particularly during portions of the indexing cycle when theindexing system does not firmly secure the table in place. To preventinadvertent rotation during these times, a frictional plate 38 ismounted at at least one position on frame 32. This plate is mounted onshaft 38a which is slidably supported in support 40 and is urged byspring 42 into frictional engagement with the underside of plate 14,thereby preventing the plate from inadvertently rotating duringunsecured intervals.

The system for indexing plate 14 is best seen in the two extremepositions of its operative cycle in FIGS. 4 and 5. It will beappreciated that the pivotal mounting of hub 22 on pin 26 and theengagement of roller 34 with table 14 leave the table free to rotate.The frictional contact between plate 36 and table 14 is easily overcomeby the indexing drive mechanism.

Briefly, at rest (FIG. 4) hub 22 is rigidly held by drive pawl 54against stop pawl 80, maintaining the turntable stable. The turntable isrotated by action of drive pawl 54 on drive pins on hub 22.

More specifically, table 14 and hub 22 are adapted to be power driven ina counter-clockwise direction. The drive mechanism includes a driveplate 50 which is pivotally mounted about the lower portion of hub 22with a Bakalite washer 52 positioned beneath the actuating plate. Theplate is thus free to rotate about a center line through the center ofpin 26 independently of hub 22. It is to be understood that bottom plate28 rests on the floor or other mounting surface and is not free torotate. Drive plate 50 includes a drive pawl 54 which is loaded byaction of spring 56 on pins 58 (on the drive plate) and 60 (on thepawl). Pawl 54 is thus urged in a counter-clockwise direction about itspivot 62.

At the start of the indexing cycle, drive plate 50 is pivoted from itsforward position shown in FIG. 4 (machine at rest) to its withdrawnposition shown in FIG. 5 (ready to index the turntable) by a cylinder64. Cylinder 64 is pivoted at its tail end by bolt 66 on cylindersupport plate 68 rigidly secured to track 32. The piston rod of cylinder64 is pivotally mounted to plate 50 by pin 70.

As shown in FIG. 4, with cylinder 64 in its extended position, turntableI4 is rigidly locked by the action of pall 54 against pin 44a and theaction of stop-pall against the next successive pin 44b in acounterclockwise direction. It will be apparent that as cylinder 64withdraws piston rod 64a, plate 50 rotates about center pin 26 in aclockwise direction. Pawl 54 is thus drawn backwardly away from pin 44auntil it engages the next successive pin in a clockwise direction 440.As plate 50 withdraws, the upstanding pawl-activating plate 74 on plate50 is drawn away from stoppawl 80. Stop-pawl 80 is constantly urgedradially outwardly by action of spring 76 on fixed pin 78 on bottomplate 28 and on pin 72 on the pawl itself. As soon as the stop-pawl isreleased, it snaps back to its open position as shown in FIG. 5.

To advance the turntable, pressure is applied in cylinder 64 and thepiston rod is driven outwardly, pivoting plate 50 in a counterclockwisedirection with the action of pawl 54 against pin 44c rotating hub 22 oneposition counterclockwise. As the hub approaches its new stop position,plate 74 engages stop-pawl 80 and drives stoppawl 80 against pin 44a.Desirably, the length of the active stroke of piston rod 64a and theposition of pawls 54 and 80 are adjusted so that in its stop positionshown in FIG. 4, the hub is under tension from cylinder 64 against stop80 insuring a rigid secure position.

It will be appreciated that the present arrangement permits easyadjustment of the number of waste receptacles on the turntable andaccordingly the size of the turntable. By removing the turntable and itsassociated hub and replacing it with a larger turntable having morereceptacle stations and a hub bearing a correspondingly increased numberof pins 44 and by making minor corresponding adjustments in the controlsystem to be described hereinafter, the number of receptacles on theturntable can be easily adjusted to accomodate more or fewer bags forhigher or lower volume operation. Applicant has found it desirable tomake this system available in 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 or 14 receptacle sizes.The preferred embodiment shown is equipped to operate with 8receptacles.

The control and operating circuit for applicant's turntable system willbe appreciated by reference to FIG. 6 wherein the system is shown atrest in condition to receive a bale of compacted refuse taken inconjunction with FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. In FIG. 6, the compactor is shownonly diagrammatically. It will be appreciated that the compactor systemincludes a pump P which provides hydraulic pressure to operate both thecompaction and ejection rams in compactor l0 and (through lines 86) theindexing mechanism for carousel 12.

Pressure is applied to turntable drive cylinder 64 through lines 86 andreversing valve 84. Reversing valve 84 is shown in the machine restposition with no current applied through solenoid SV. In this positionpressure is applied through the rear side of cylinder 64 and piston rod64a is fully extended as shown in FIG. 4, maintaining hub 22 in rigidposition by action of pawl 54 against pin 44a and stop pawl 80 againstpin 44b. Relay contacts R3a are closed at machine rest position as isswitch SW2. Contacts Rlb are open.

Pump P operates both the compactor hydraclics and cylinder 64. The pumpis powered and running whenever the cornpactor is running throughcircuits not shown. At rest the contacts Rlc in the pump circuit areopen so that the pump is not powered through the carousel controlcircuit. Some residual pressure may remain in cylinder 64 to keep thepiston rod extended and the turntable rigid at all times. In addition,the critical time during which the turntable must be locked is when thecompactor is ejecting-during this time the pump is running through thecompactor circuits.

As will be seen in FIG. 1, switch SW4 is mounted on a bracket 92adjacent the carousel. SW4 is activated by a laterally extending probe94 which is positioned with respect to the carousel (and particularlywith respect to the refuse bags such that with an empty bag in positionprobe 94 may touch the bag, but SW4 remains open so long as the bag isempty. When a refuse bale is ejected into the waiting bag, the balewithin the bag actuates probe 94 closing switch SW4. It is also to beunderstood that, if the operator has failed to empty a bag on theturntable and the turntable is rotated, the full bag will make contactwith probe 94 as it reaches the loading position beneath the output portof compactor 10. This full bag will activate switch SW4 and thecompactor will cycle again just as if the bale had just been ejected. Inthis way, the compactor insures that when an operator fails to empty oneor more of the bags on the turntable, the compactor will not eject asecond slug into the full bag but will index to the next empty bag. Aswill be seen hereinafter, under these circumstances, the control circuit(which counts the number of bags filled and disables the compactor andsignals the operator when all the bags are filled) will count theunemptied bag as a full bag on the turntable thereby properly indicatingwhen all bags are filled.

The activation of switch SW4 applied current across relay coil R2closing relay contacts R2a. The closing of contacts R20 applies acurrent through the activating coil of latching relay R1 and through thestepper coil SR of a stepper relay.

Current through coil RI closes relay contacts Rla, Rlb and R10. Thesecontacts remain closed until a current is applied to the releasing coilRilR of latching relay R1 at which time the contacts Rla-Rlc are opened.The closing of relay contacts Rlb applies a current through relaycontacts R3a (which are closed at machine rest position) and SW2 (whichis closed at machine rest position) and through solenoid valve SV.Current in solenoid valve SV reverses the application of fluid pressureto cylinder 64 and the piston rod 640 is drawn into the cylinder,drawing plate in a clockwise direction in FIGS. 4 and 5.

At the same time, the closing of contacts Rllc applies current throughcontacts R3b which are also closed at the machine rest position to applypower to pump P which provides fluid pressure through valve M towithdraw the piston rod.

Simultaneously, current in coil R1 closes relay contacts Rla whichcommences operation of a timing circuit. The timing circuit is adaptedto disable the carousel if a complete indexing cycle is not completedwithin some desired period of time. It has been found that 2 minutes isan appropriate time under normal circumstances. Specifically, currentthrough relay Rl closes relay contacts Rla which applies a currentthrough heating coil DS2a. Heating coil D8211 begins to heat bimetallicstrip DS2 which is normally closed as shown in FIG. 6. B82 in itsnormally closed position permits a flow of current through contacts D81and coil R3 maintaining relay contacts REM and R3b in their normallyclosed position. If the machine cycle is not completed and contacts Rlanot opened within the 2 minute heating time, then the bi-metallic memberin switch DS2 opens, terminating current to relay R3 which immediatelyopens contact R3b, terminating electric power to pump P and removespower from solenoid valve SV (if it was under power at this time)thereby withdrawing piston rod 64a. This timing circuit thus disablesthe equipment if a piece of stray refuse or other debris prevents theturntable from indexing fully to its next index position within thepredetermined time.

In addition to applying current to coil R1, the closing of contacts R20applies a current to stepping relay coil SR which advances the countingrelay from its first position indicated as Start Count" in the drawingto the next count contact. It will be understood that the start countcontact circuit includes a neon bulb designated First Bag which isilluminated when the counting relay is on the start count contactindicating that the first refuse bag is being filled. It will beunderstood that each time a full bag is sensed beneath the compactoroutput port and R2a is closed, a current is applied in coil SR and thestepping relay is advanced another step beyond the start count position.When all receptacles on the turntable have been filled and the steppingrelay reaches its Stop Count position, current is applied through thestop count position to heating coil DSla which heats bi-metallic stripD8! which, after a selected period of time, opens contacts of DSl andilluminates the neon Last Bag light indicating that all receptacles havebeen filled and that the tumable requires clearing. It is to beunderstood that opening of contacts DSl may activate any other desiredalarm condition such as a remote flashing light, a remote alarm, orother signalling means.

Once the operator has manually cleared the tumtable, he depresses thereset switch RS which applied a current through the reset coil SRR ofthe stepping relay, thereby returning the stepping arm to its startcount position. It will be understood that the stepping relay isdesirably adapted to count as many positions as may be required for thelargest turntable which may be used with the system. The position of thestart count contact is selected so that the number of contacts betweenthe start count contact and the stop count contact corresponds in aone-to-one relationship with the number of refuse receptacles on theturntable and the number of pins 44 on hub 22. If a larger turntablewith additional receptacles replaces the present turntable, the startcount position will be moved down accordingly.

As indicated previously, the closing of relay contact Rlb has started todraw the piston rod 640 in, moving plate 50 in a clockwise direction. Asplate 50 rotates, the stop pawl 80 is released from pin 44b and thepower pawl 54 releases pin 44a and is drawn back to pin 44c. As seen inFIGS. 4 and 5, switch SW2 is mounted on one of the base radial arms 30and is positioned so that the switch member protrudes over drive plate50. Drive plate 50 includes an upstanding pin 98 which is positioned totrip switch SW2 as drive plate 50 withdraws to its desired extremewithdrawn position. It is to be understood that pin 98 must bepositioned in accordance with the number of drive pins 44 on the hub andhence the desired length of the angular stroke of drive plate 50.Desirably, plate 50 is provided with a number of pin receiving openings100, each corresponding to a potential hub configuration. When an eightposition tumtable and eight position hub are used, the pin is placed inthe appropriate opening as shown to engage switch SW2 at the desiredrearward end of the power stroke.

As will be seen in FIG. 6, contact between pin 98 and switch SW2 opensswitch SW2 which removes power from solenoid valve SV and reversescylinder 64 moving drive plate 50 in a counterclockwise direction androtating the turntable. As the drive plate 50 approaches the end of itsforward powered cycle, a second upstanding pin 102 on the drive plateengages switch SW1 and closes the switch. The closing of switch SW1applies a current through opening coil RlR of the latching relay andopens contacts Rla, Rlb and R10. The opening of contacts Rla removescurrent fonn heating member DS2a and thereby terminates the timingcircuit described above. The circuit is thus returned to its machinerest position except that the stepping relay has been advanced one morecount.

It will be appreciated that the turntable may be activated manually byclosing rotator switch RT which applies a current through the countingcoil SR of the stepper relay and through relay coil R1 thereby manuallyinitiating a complete indexing cycle of the turntable.

The hydraulic power system including pump P includes a flow controlmechanism 88 and an overload mechanism 90 (both of conventional types)in the rear pressure path to cylinder 64. The flow control 88establishes the rate of advance of piston rod 640.

The overload control 90 establishes a maximum pressure in the rear sideof cylinder 64 so that if an operator inadvertently positions himself inthe path of the turntable while it is indexing, the turntable will exertonly a limited pressure against his body avoiding injury. In addition,overload control 90 is adapted to signal for service in the unlikelyevent that a jam in the indexing system permits an excessive build-up ofpressure in the rear hydraulic line to cylinder 64. The overload elementis interconnected with overload switch SW5 which closes when an overloadcondition is sensed. As with the closing of contact Rla, the closing ofswitch SW5 applies a current to heating element DS2a which commencesheating of bi-metallic member DS2. If the overload condition does notcorrect itself and switch SW5 does not open within the 2 minute timedelay of bi-metallic strip DS2, then DS2 opens and current is removedfrom coil R3, and contacts R3a and R3b open stopping the indexing cycle.At the same time, the overload light is illuminated and otherappropriate alarm mechanisms may be activated.

The operation of resistor 104 is conventional and requires no lengthycomment. Basically it is adapted to permit a flow of illuminatingcurrent to the last bag neon bulb.

The advantages of applicant's control circuit will be readilyappreciated by those skilled in the art. The incorporation of a countingcircuit in the control in conjunction with the physical sensing of afull bag under the compact rejection port by probe 9 4, permits thecarousel and control system to be easily adapted to accommodate anydesired number of bags merely by adjusting the number of counts in thestepper relay between the start count position and the stop countposition. At the same time, it permits the system to count and take intoconsideration a bag which the operator has inadvertently forgotten toempty. In addition, the turntable system is rendered more flexiblebecause any turntable position can be the start position of thesystemthe turntable need not be recycled to a particular startreceptacle in order to commence operation. At the same time, safeoperation of the system is insured by the timing of each indexing cycleand the disabling of the equipment if the indexing cycle is notcompleted within a selected time.

As a final safety feature, a prove switch SW3 is positioned on plate 28so as to make contact with pins 44 as the turntable reaches the end ofan indexing cycle. Switch SW3 is in the basic compactor circuit anddisables the compactor bale ejection cycle when open. It will beappreciated that switch SW3 is open throughout the indexing cycle and isnot closed until the turntable reaches the end of an indexing cycle..Desirably, the position of switch SW3 on plate 28 may be adjusted byset screws 106 to permit proper positioning of switch SW3 in accordancewith the number of receptacles and hence number of drive pins 44 in theparticularturntable system.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are merelyan example of the application of the principles of the presentinvention. Numerous other applications will be apparent to those skilledin the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:

l. A turntable indexing system adaptable to assume a selected number ofindexing positions in each 360 rotation comprising a turntable supportedfor rotational motion about a central axis, a support hub removablysecured on a common center with said turntable for rigid rotationtherewith, said support hub including a selected number of drive pinspositioned equi-distantly about said hub, said pins corresponding withthe desired number of indexing positions of said turntable in each 360rotation, a drive plate mounted for oscillation about said hub, powermeans for oscillating said driveplate between a retracted position and aforward indexed position, a driving pawl on said drive plate adapted toengage one of said drive pins when said drive plate is in its retractedposition and to rotate said hub during the forward power stroke of saiddrive plate, and switching means controlling said power means fordeterrninging the length of the stroke of said drive plate.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including a stop pawlpositioned in opposition to said driving pawl, said stop pawl beingdriven into engagement with one of said pins at the end of the powerstroke of said drive plate for providing a stop for said turntable.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said stop pawl includesa spring biasing it radially outwardly and wherein said drive plateincludes means adapted to engage said stop pawl at the end of said powerstroke to drive said stop pawl into engagement with one of said drivepins.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said switching meansincludes a switch controlling said power means mounted adjacent saiddrive plate and control means on said drive plate for actuating saidswitch, the position of said control means being adjustablev to regulatethe length of the stroke of said power plate.

1. A turntable indexing system adaptable to assume a selected number ofindexing positions in each 360* rotation comprising a turntablesupported for rotational motion about a central axis, a support hubremovably secured on a common center with said turntable for rigidrotation therewith, said support hub including a selected number ofdrive pins positioned equidistantly about said hub, said pinscorresponding with the desired number of indexing positions of saidturntable in each 360* rotation, a drive plate mounted for oscillationabout said hub, power means for oscillating said drive plate between aretracted position and a forward indexed position, a driving pawl onsaid drive plate adapted to engage one of said drive pins when saiddrive plate is in its retracted position and to rotate said hub duringthe forward power stroke of said drive plate, and switching meanscontrolling said power means for determinging the length of the strokeof said drive plate.
 2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 furtherincluding a stop pawl positioned in opposition to said driving pawl,said stop pawl being driven into engagement with one of said pins at theend of the power stroke of said drive plate for providing a stop forsaid turntable.
 3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein saidstop pawl includes a spring biasing it radially outwardly and whereinsaid drive plate includes means adapted to engage said stop pawl at theend of said power stroke to drive said stop pawl into engagement withone of said drive pins.
 4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid switching means includes a switch controlling said power meansmounted adjacent said drive plate and control means on said drive platefor actuating said switch, the position of said control means beingadjustable to regulate the length of the stroke of said power Plate.